Big Bass Tour and Oakley Inc. announce the creation of the Oakley Angler of the Year program for the 2009 season. With this agreement Oakley becomes the naming rights sponsor of this year long AOY point race for anglers competing in the four (4) open BBT events of 2009. (Lake Conroe, Slot Lake Shootout, North Texas Classic and Bass West Classic)

This unique program will provide valuable exposure for both organizations and provide incredible recognition to the angler who wins this year long competition. Oakley’s polarized HDO technology is simply unmatched and we are excited to be bringing their products to our anglers. Not only will some serious cash and an endorsement deal be on the line through the Oakley AOY but we will have unique prize giveaways and special programs to offer our anglers at every event in 2009.

About Oakley Inc.

Oakley, Inc. is a sport and lifestyle brand, driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading optical technology, the company manufactures and distributes high performance sunglasses, prescription lenses and frames, goggles, apparel, footwear, and accessories. The essence of the brand is communicated through hundreds of professional and amateur athletes who depend on Oakley products to provide them with the very best while they redefine what is physically possible.

For more information about Oakley you may visit www.oakley.com

We are proud to announce our partnership with Mercury and Motorguide for the 2009 season. Look for some exciting prize packages from this partnership.

About Mercury Marine

Mercury Marine is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $2.3 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury and its 6,200 employees worldwide provide engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury and Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils.

http://mercurymarine.com/

1. Lake Conroe Classic - February 28-March 1 2009 - Lake Conroe
2. Slot Lake Shootout - March 27-29 2009 - Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Fork, Lake Grapevine
3. Junior Nationals - June 6th - Lake Grapevine
4. North Texas Classic - September 26-27 2009 - Lake Lewisville
5. Bass West Classic - October 17-18 2009 - California Delta

Updates regarding each event will be posted to the website soon.

Big Bass Tour is proud to announce that Ultimate Bass will become a tour media partner for 2009.  This partnership will be delivering some exciting new content and unique programs to the Ultimate Bass online community and we are excited to be associated with this outstanding group.  Ultimate Bass was established in 1998 and since that time has served the bass fishing community with informative articles, news, interactive tools and The Bass Fishing Forum.

Big Bass Tour and Corey Waldrop have agreed on a partnership for the 2009 season. We will be working on a project to chronicle Corey’s trials and tribulations as he participates in the Bassmaster Opens and Stren Series for 2009 and prepares himself for another attempt at the Elites. We will provide insight into the life and times of a tournament angler as Corey competes throughout the year. You’re going to get an up close and personal account as Corey lets us inside the world of professional fishing. We will share information from pre-fishing strategies, fishing unfamiliar waters, selling sponsorships, techniques, time management and anything else you can imagine.

We are excited to announce that Bass Edge www.bassedge.com and BBT will partner together in 2009. Bass Edge will be following our tour in 2009 and providing updates through video, podcast and forum posts on the Bass Edge site. Aaron Martin and the entire Bass Edge group provide some of the most exciting and relevant TV and media content available to the avid angler and we are proud to be partnered with Americas premier bass fishing show and online community.

Big Bass Tour will be attending this year’s Classic and we have an exciting promotion for all those who will be attending the event. As most of you are aware, Shreveport will play host the this year’s Bassmaster on February 20-22, 2009. BBT will have a special text messaging raffle that will be on-going throughout the event. We will be giving away incredible prizes throughout the weekend. We will have a hospitality party Saturday the 21st for any of those who’d like to attend. The only catch is that you’ll have to be in attendance to claim your prizes. We will have more details on the promotion coming soon.

To sign up for this promo text: bigbasstour to 29222

In March BBT will bring our open big bass format to Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Fork simultaneously!  Anglers can choose either lake for Friday and Saturday.  We will award hourly prizes on both lakes for two days and the Top 24 anglers will come to Lake Grapevine for the final day!  Payouts and Prizes coming soon.

If you’d like updates regarding upcoming Big Bass Tour events and important information you can text the word Bass to 29222 and we will make sure that you’re in the loop.